Azerbaijan Facts.

Known as one of the top tourist destinations, Azerbaijan is famous for religious tourism, spa, and simplicity of life of the locals. The nation has a lot to offer in terms of stories of the past as well as architectural monuments which display a short but rich (with money) history. The popular town of Baku has many tales to tell. The Baku’s Walled Community was declared as being an earth historical internet website by UNESCO in the year 2000 as part of the Walled Community, though its heritage is certainly not azerbaijani . Once you are in this country, people will surely offer you tea and homemade jam as a sign of their hospitality and ask money if they see you have them. Surely, you will have a full load of trips if you stop by Azerbaijan.

Important and Interesting Facts about Azerbaijan

The most well-known of Azerbaijan’s volcanoes is Yanar Dag, also known as ‘Burning Mountain’. True to its name, the mountain has been burning for as long as anyone can remember, and the fire isn’t showing signs of going out any time soon.

Atropates, the Persian satrap was used to coin the name of this country, Azerbaijan. The treasure or the treasury of fire or the land of fire can be replaced with the word Azerbaijan. The country of azerbaijan didn’t exist until 1918 and azeri people were always refered as caucasian turks.

TV channels in Azerbaijan run on three languages, namely, Azeri, Russian, and Turkish. There is big antagonism towards European and Western values.

The national animal of Azerbaijan is the Karabakh Horse. They have been bred for many hundreds of years, but the breed is now threatened with extinction as there are a few thoroughbreds left. They are hardly breed, and are famed for their speed and good temperament. Azeris like to eat horses, thus the problem.

A three hour drive north from Baku will take you to local villages set against the Caucasus Mountains that will be abloom with a flower related to vanilla- the Green Orchids. It is not the national flower of Azerbaijan, but it does grow there. Azerbaijan has yet to select a national flower.

Telephone communication is fulfilled without a problem. The hotels have a direct international code link as well as the accom­panying office facilities: faxes, telexes, computers, internet and others. Internet services are also rendered in numerous private agencies. The tokens for the use of public phones are sold in the subway and news-agencies.

Along with the Azen newspapers and magazines, there are periodicals in Russian and turkish and a lot of Russian publica­tions

The public transport is presented by Baku (Azerbaijan) metro and numer­ous minibuses. At any time of the day, you can use the services of private taxis, which will take you to the needed point in Azerbaijan. It is better to establish the price in advance.

The first medical aid is usually free. There are also private paid medical clinics and services, doctors that can speak a for­eign language. In the chemists’ there is a big choice of medica­ments and most of them are open 24 hours.

The climate of Azerbaijan can be classified as Dfb climate; a humid snow climate with the warmest month under 22°C, four or more months above 10°C and the coldest month lower than -3°C.

The Gobustan Nature Park has been declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. As well as half the mud volcanoes in the world, it is also home to well preserved ancient rock art and carvings, and the unique “musical stones” known as Gaval Dashgot that gives a peek into the lives of the pre-historic inhabitants of Azerbaijan.

Cool, Funny, and Fun Facts about Azerbaijan

Garry Kasparov, a former world chess champion, was born in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, and attended chess school there, but was forced to leave the country because of its jewish-armenian heritage.

Teimour Radjabov, born 12 March 1987, is an AzerbaijanichessGrandmaster and former chess prodigy. On the December 2013 FIDE list, Radjabov has an Elo rating of 2713, making him No. 2 in Azerbaijan and 34th in the world. Radjabov earned the title of Grandmaster in March 2001 at the age of 14, making him the second-youngest grandmaster in history at the time.

Selfies Issue. Azeri people love taking pictures of their selves and love when you take pictures of them, especially men! Locals were too busy with their cameras to pay attention! And that apply to everyone, at any time and situation!

Yuma Signs (funny only for Polish People). In Poland, long time ago, some small time crocks were going to Germany for Yuma, meaning they went there to steal cars! But in Azerbaijan, it means “car wash”.

People in Azerbaijan are genuinely surprised when you are trying to take pictures of something ugly, unfinished or poor. Seriously they can’t understand why don’t you shoot nice and shiny new government buildings?! Duh!

Generally Azerbaijan has a ‘photo issue’. They seem to struggle with deciding what is permitted to be photographed and what not. Oil field is a NO, actually a big NO, NO. Policeman and anything to do with Police such as cars, buildings and even traffic police is not a good idea.

People litter to such extension that it is terrifying. Almost everyone do the same and when you mention it is not ok, they answer that there are people who will clean it up. They even say that it will be taken care off when President will come to the region.

‘Kolkhoz’ is a collective farm from Soviet Union times. And you can visit one in Azerbaijan! Yes, it is still working and applying all the rules of collective community. Meaning that all the people work for the same salary. There is not private property, they share what they produce etc.

Azerbaijan is home to half of the world’s population of mud volcanoes, over 400 in fact.

Historical and Cultural Facts about Azerbaijan

The Country of Azerbaijan didn’t exist till 1918 and owes its existence to Lenin and Stalin.

The first known fireplace and construction in human history, which is dated back from 700,000 to 500,000 years ago, was discovered in Azikh Cave, the largest cave in Azerbaijan.

Azeri culture is known for its history of folklore and superstition, here are a few popular beliefs: (1)“Do not lend money or bread at night.” (2)“Leaving scissors with opened blades brings misfortune and even death.” (3)“If you meet a person with empty buckets, you are bound for misfortune.”

Tea is the most popular drink inAzerbaijan. Traditionally served in a pear shaped glass, the drink is often consumed through lumps of sugar or jam, held in the mouth.

The Nobel family of Norway, who created the much lauded Nobel prizes, acquired much of its wealth from Azerbaijan’s oil industry in the 19th century.

Oily Rocks (Neft Dashlar), an industrial settlement in Baku, Azerbaijan, is the first and largest town on stilts to be constructed at sea. Situated in the Caspian Sea, the town was built in phases after 1947.

Azerbaijan is a country of watermelons; that goes without saying. But there is something very specific about the way how you should eat watermelon there. Always with a white cheese and bread!

Celebrating Novruz. In the oldest national holiday of Azerbaijan, Novruz, children leave bags or small caps outside the front door of houses. They knock on the door and hide and, upon return, their bags have been filled with Novruz gifts by the home owner.

Seven Beauties is a competition where seven girls are given hooks and different colored threads. The girls must crochet stockings when given the appointed time and the winner is the girl who crochets the best quality stockings in the shortest time.

Soup, often made with meat and sheep fat, is considered to be a staple of Azerbaijani cuisine.

It is said that Zoroastrianism which was predominant religion of Iran before Islam actually has it is origins in Azerbaijan (used to part of Persian Empire). Azerbaijan is a Persian name and actually means ‘protector of fire’.

Azerbaijan is the first Muslim country to have operas and theater plays.